Turkish gifted students' image of scientists

Bilen K.

ENERGY EDUCATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PART B-SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL STUDIES, vol.4, no.2, pp.557-570, 2012 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 4 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2012
  • Journal Name: ENERGY EDUCATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PART B-SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL STUDIES
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
  • Page Numbers: pp.557-570
  • Keywords: gifted students, image of scientists, science and art centers, YOUNG CHILDRENS PERCEPTIONS, PRESERVICE TEACHERS, SCIENCE, MISCONCEPTIONS, ATTITUDES, PHYSICS, SKILLS
  • Akdeniz University Affiliated: No

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine gifted students' images of scientists who taught at a science and art center in the province of Denizli, Turkey. Data were collected through a Draw a Scientist Test instrument. The data was analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods. The results indicated that students depicted scientists as someone who is old, wearing a lab coat, having bald and weird hair style. Results also indicated that the image of scientist is perceived as predominantly male, a physicist or a chemist, working in a laboratory. It was found that most of the students (73.5%) drew scientists in the laboratory. Interestingly, it was also found that while none of the male students drew female scientists, only small number of the girls (5.89) included a female scientist in their drawings. Well known scientists were %35 Edison (35%) and Einstein (32,3%). Based on this study, some recommendations for teachers and science educators are made.